USA Tax: IRS Guidance on Acquiring Form CP 575 and Requesting 147C Letter

Tax compliance is a crucial aspect of operating any business or organization in the United States. Understanding the procedures laid out by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is essential for fulfilling tax obligations efficiently.

In this article, we focus on IRS guidance concerning the acquisition of Form CP 575 and the process of requesting a 147C letter, vital documents for confirming an entity’s Employer Identification Number (EIN). Let’s delve into the details of these procedures and their significance in the realm of U.S. taxation.

The CP 575 Form is a document that is issued by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to verify an entity’s Employer Identification Number (EIN). The IRS issues a CP 575 as a formal notification that the EIN has been assigned to the new entity when a business or an organization applies for an EIN, which is required for tax filing and reporting purposes, among other things.

The EIN is a unique nine-digit number that is used to identify a business entity for tax purposes, analogous to how a Social Security Number identifies an individual. The CP 575 Form is a letter that contains critical details like the legal name of the entity, the EIN assigned, and the date of issue.

This document is essential for many business processes such as opening a business account under the business name, obtaining business licenses, and setting up payroll as it is the proof of the entity’s registration with the IRS.

CP 575 Form is a document that organizations are required to give to vendors, financial institutions, and government agencies as part of their compliance and verification processes.

In case the original CP 575 is lost, a duplicate copy cannot be obtained but a 147C letter can be requested from the IRS, which performs the same function by verifying an EIN number and entity information.

How do I get an IRS form CP 575?

For you to get the IRS Form CP 575 which is a notice that your Employer Identification Number (EIN) assignment has been confirmed, you usually receive it automatically after successful application for an EIN to the IRS.

However, if you need a copy of your CP 575 form and did not receive it or have misplaced it, here’s what you can do:

Apply for an EIN: If you have not yet applied for an EIN, you can apply for it online, by fax, mail, and for international applicants, by phone.

The method of the online application process is the fastest. If the application is successful, the IRS issues the EIN immediately, and if you are applying online, you can receive a downloadable notice that serves the same purpose as the CP 575.

Request a 147C Letter: As the IRS does not reissue the original CP 575 form, you may request a 147C letter to serve as verification of your EIN in lieu of the CP 575 for all business purposes where the CP 575 is required.

The 147C letter is not a downloadable or online-requestable form; you need to contact the IRS.

To request a 147C letter, you should

Call the IRS: The contact number for this service is available on the website of the IRS. Be ready to identify your business and, possibly, yourself as the caller, to prove that you have the authority to get the EIN information.

Confirm Your Identity: When you call, the IRS will require you to prove that you are the person you claim to be.

You need your EIN, the name and address of the EIN as it is listed on the IRS records, and your Social Security Number (SSN) if you are the person who originally applied for the EIN. Request the Letter: When your identity is confirmed, you can ask them to send you a 147C letter.

The letter can be faxed to you during the call or sent to the IRS address on record. Note that the 147C letter, much like the CP 575, is an official IRS document stating your EIN that can be used anywhere the CP 575 is requested.